Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions Applicants

UPDATE – GOVERNOR SIGNS LEGISLATION REMOVING THE LICENSURE REQUIREMENT FOR REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANTS IN EXTENDED FUNCTIONS TO COMPLETE A CLINICAL AND/OR PRACTICAL EXAMINATION EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2022.

Senate Bill (SB) 607 (Min, Chapter 367, Statutes of 2021) was signed by Governor Newsom on September 28, 2021, and will become effective on January 1, 2022. Among other things, this bill removes the clinical and/or practical examination requirements to become a California Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions (RDAEF).

Effective January 1, 2022, the Dental Board of California (Board) may license as an RDAEF a person who submits written evidence, satisfactory to the Board, of all the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Current licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) or completion of the requirements for licensure as a RDA;
  2. Successful completion of a Board-approved course in the application of Pit & Fissure Sealants;
  3. Successful completion of a Board-approved RDAEF program;
  4. Successful passage of a written examination administered by the Board; and
  5. Submission of fingerprint clearances from both the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Board worked with the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Professional Examination Services (OPES) to conduct an occupational analysis of the RDAEF profession. Based on the results of the occupational analysis, a new RDAEF written examination will be launched on January 1, 2022, that will incorporate additional content that measures competencies related to cord retraction and final impression, which were previously measured by the practical and clinical examinations. RDAEF applicants who have already taken and passed the current RDAEF written examination will not be required to take the new exam.

The Board continues to accept and process applications for RDAEF licensure. Applicants who submit complete applications will be issued eligibility to take the current RDAEF Written Examination. However, licenses will not be issued to those who successfully complete the current RDAEF Written Examination until after January 1, 2022, when the requirement for the clinical and/or practical examination is removed.

For those who currently have an application on file with the Board for RDAEF licensure, the Board will be:

  1. Issuing refunds for the practical and clinical examination fees ($500) to applicants who have paid the fee and have not taken the examination(s). Applicants can expect to receive their refunds in approximately 12 weeks. There is no need to contact the Board to request a refund.
  2. Beginning January 3, 2022 (Monday), the Board will begin issuing licenses to applicants who have successfully met all licensure requirements in effect as of January 1, 2022.

Effective January 1, 2022, applicants for RDAEF licensure will be required to take the new RDEAF Written Examination. Additional information regarding this new RDAEF Written Examination will be forthcoming. Please check the Board’s website for updates, including a new candidate information bulletin.

Candidates who fail the current RDAEF Written Examination and retake the examination after January 1, 2022, will be required to take the new RDAEF written examination. Please note, examinee scores for the new RDAEF written examination will be held pending evaluation of examination performance. The Board anticipates having the results released by mid-February 2022.

As a result of these changes, the Board anticipates an increase in the number of phone, email, and mail inquiries relating to RDAEF licensure. Please note that such inquiries may take 4-5 business days for response. Please check the Board’s website for updated information. Additionally, the Board encourages all interested parties to subscribe to Board email notifications .

How to Become a Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions

Reciprocity is not offered to practice as a Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions (RDAEF) in California. All persons wishing to perform the functions of an RDAEF in California must complete the licensure process described below.

Application and Examination Requirements

On and after January 1, 2010, the Dental Board of California (Board) may license as an RDAEF a person who submits written evidence, satisfactory to the Board, of all the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Current licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) or completion of the requirements for licensure as an RDA.
  2. Successful completion of a Board-approved course in the application of Pit and Fissure Sealants.
  3. Successful completion of a Board-approved RDAEF program.
  4. Passage of a written, clinical and practical examination administered by the Board.
  5. Submission of fingerprint clearances from both the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

Effective January 1, 2022, the Dental Board of California (Board) may license as an RDAEF a person who submits written evidence, satisfactory to the Board, of all the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Current licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) or completion of the requirements for licensure as a RDA;
  2. Successful completion of a Board-approved course in the application of Pit & Fissure Sealants;
  3. Successful completion of a Board-approved RDAEF program;
  4. Successful passage of a written examination administered by the Board; and
  5. Submission of fingerprint clearances from both the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Once this process is completed and an applicant is found to be qualified for licensure, a pocket identification card and wall certificate are issued. There is no license fee required for the initial license other than the initial application and examination fees.

Links

For more information, please call (916) 263-2300 or email DA.Program@dca.ca.gov.